This was our first video call. 2008.
My mother at home.
My little brother Maarten, still in primary school.
And me, in my student room in Rotterdam.
Of course via Skype. Very modern.
A video call was something special back then. Something you would almost announce:
“Look mom, we can see each other!”
What a time.
We looked a bit awkward into the camera.
Bad connection. Lagging image.
But we thought it was magical.
Fast forward to now.
We work together.
Every day.
And we still have this exact video call. Every week.
Only… the roles have changed.
Maarten leads the conversation.
He opens the meeting.
He tells us what needs to be done.
He adjusts.
He takes responsibility.
And we listen.
How amazing is that?
That little boy who once looked shyly into the camera is now in charge.
With vision.
With calmness.
With leadership.
Who would have thought?
This is why I believe so much in time.
In growth.
In development.
You don’t see it day to day.
But years later you look back and realize: wow… so much has happened.
People grow.
Roles change.
Responsibilities shift.
And if you’re lucky, you get to witness that up close.
As a brother.
As a colleague.
As family.
What I feel most is gratitude.
For that first Skype call.
For the journey that followed.
And for the fact that we are now building together.
Something bigger than ourselves.
Time changes technology.
But even more beautifully:
time shapes people.
And sometimes you get to witness that every single week 🙏
